Warm Chicken Apple Sage Toasts
Tender chicken, tart apple, and sage cream turn toasted country bread into a cozy skillet side.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 20 · Total: 30 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (167 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
The toast combines the comfort of chicken salad with the autumn flavor of apples, sage, and melted cheddar.
Story
Casey likes a side dish that can quietly steal the show. The apples bring a tart little snap to the creamy chicken, while toasted bread gives the whole thing a satisfying crunch. It is especially good next to a bowl of soup, when you want dinner to feel homemade but not fussy.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 4 thick slices country bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1 crisp apple, peeled and finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup grated white cheddar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 F. Brush both sides of the bread with 1 tablespoon olive oil, place on a sheet pan, and toast for 5 minutes per side until crisp.
- Heat the remaining oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and apple and cook for 4 minutes until tender but not soft.
- Stir in the chicken, cream, Dijon, sage, lemon juice, and pepper. Simmer for 4 minutes until the cream lightly coats the chicken.
- Taste the filling and add a pinch of salt if needed. Spoon it evenly over the toasted bread.
- Sprinkle the cheddar over the toasts and return them to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Cut the toasts in half and serve warm with a simple green salad or alongside soup.
Chef Tips
- Use a firm apple so the small dice keep a little bite.
- Toast the bread fully before adding the topping to prevent sogginess.
- Leftover turkey can replace the chicken in equal measure.
- Add a pinch of cayenne if you want more contrast with the apple.
Cook's Notes
- **Bread:** Toast it until firm at the center, not just golden at the edges.
- **Apple:** A tart, crisp variety keeps the filling lively.
- **Cheese:** Add it after the filling is on the bread so it melts evenly.